A combination of tough pin positions and windy conditions, and his own desire to play aggressive golf and claw back in contention resulted in a bogey-strewn day for Rayhan Thomas in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships.
Despite starting the round with a birdie on the 10th hole, Thomas slumped to his worst round of the tournament – a six-over par 78 – but dropped only one spot to finish on tied 29th at 11-over par.
The 16-year-old Dubai-based Indian made two birdies, but was undone by eight bogeys.
“It was a tough day, and not the finish that I wanted. But I really enjoyed playing here. It was the biggest amateur event I have played so far, and it was an amazing learning experience,” said Thomas.
Australian world No. 2 amateur Curtis Luck, the top-ranked player in the field, started the day seven shots behind his Aussie colleague, overnight leader Brett Coletta (75), and five behind Cameron Davis (77), but showed his class with a five-under par 67 round in difficult conditions to add the Asia-Pacific Amateur title to his US amateur crown.
Luck will now get to play the Masters, US Open and the Open Championship next year provided he stays amateur.
The turning point was the ninth hole, where Coletta made a double from the fairway bunker, while Davis birdied for a three-shot swing. Coletta then had another double bogey on the 11th hole.
The top-four places belonged to Australians. Coletta was second at 11-under, Luke Toomey third at nine-under and Cameron Davis fourth at seven-under par.
